A federal judge in Florida has died just days after he controversially released a Cuban plane hijacker who was awaiting deportation.
Judge John E. Steele, 77, was facing impeachment proceedings over his controversial ruling before his sudden death.
A legal source in Miami also confirmed Steele’s sudden death. The circumstances were not immediately clear.
Steele came under criticism for his July 8 ruling to release Cuban plane hijacker Maikel Guerra Morales from ICE custody.
Guerra Morales took over a Cuban commuter plane in 2003 and forced the crew to land at Key West International Airport.
He spent more than 20 years in prison for aircraft piracy and conspiracy to interfere with a flight crew.
ICE took him into custody in December 2025 and intended to deport him to Mexico, but after more than six months in detention, Steele ordered him released under supervision again, meaning agents must try to monitor
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